Chestnuts roasting on an open fire… Jack Frost nipping at your nose… the holidays are here, along with all of the comforting nostalgia that comes with these cold winter months. Whether its your favorite fuzzy socks, recipe you can only get when your mom makes it, or the feeling when you’re listening to classic Christmas carols- winter is the season for comfort and soul nourishing warmth.
On this weeks blog, we want to talk about the art of being cozy, calm, and comfortable, and how to achieve your own personal level of hygge.
-Maelyn
The Art of Hygge
Hygge (pronounced HOO-gah) is the Danish word for cozy. It is also a national manifesto expressed by the Danes as the constant pursuit of homespun pleasures involving candlelight, fires, fuzzy knitted socks, coffee, nourishing food, and loved ones. Winter is considered the most hygge time of year, with its warm hearth in your hyggekrog — a.k.a. “cozy nook”—, wrapped in a blanket, drinking a cup of hot cider and watching your favorite nostalgic Christmas movie with your most cherished people.
Personally, hygge is my definition of happiness. It can be used as a noun, adjective, verb, or compound noun-like hyggebukser, otherwise known as that shlubby pair of pants you would never wear in public but secretly treasure (my $9 sweatpants from Target). Danes agree that it is a combination of three factors: the space you’re in, the people you’re with, and the intention “to create a sanctuary.” It’s wholesome and nourishing, like fresh baked bread; Danish doctors often recommend “tea and hygge” as a cure for the common cold.
Here are some of my favorite ways to reach hygge bliss:
Tame the clutter- Spend a few minutes tidying up. When you finally sit down for a moment to yourself, the last thing you want is to find ourself looking around your home and finding things to do. Pick up the dog toys from the floor, fold the laundry that has been sitting in the chair, wash the cups that are in the sink. Put in the effort now so you can relax later.
Lighting is essential- In order to create the perfect atmosphere, you must have dim, warm lighting. That means there should be several light sources, scattering pools of amber light throughout a space. When in doubt as to how to achieve that, just add candles.
Start making your favorite warm beverage- This can be tea with some honey and lemon, coffee, a hot toddy… my favorite winter drink is a cup of homemade apple cider. When it starts to get cold at the beginning of the season, I make a big pot of cider and store it in mason jars so I can drink it for days or weeks to come. In order to reach my hygge heaven, a cup of this magic liquid is a necessity. I’ll put my favorite recipe below so you can experience true bliss.
Put on something nostalgic- Your favorite movie, Christmas album, or even a 4 hour fireplace ambiance youtube video- whatever strikes the feeling that brings comfort to you. When Harry Met Sally usually does the trick for me. Classic. Nostalgic.
Get cozy- put on your favorite sweats and fuzzy socks, then wrap yourself in a blanket. Let your soul warm in the comfort that is hygge.
A few recipes to help you achieve hygge…
An important component of winter comfort is food. I wanted to share 2 of my favorite recipes that nourish and warm me.
Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Chicken Stock
What you’ll need:
For the stock:
4 Stalks Celery
4 Carrots
1 Yellow Onion
2 Garlic Bulbs
2 Parsnips
1 Turnip
1lb Chicken Wings
Fresh Thyme
Fresh Parsley
Whole Peppercorns
For the Soup:
4 Stalks Celery
4 Carrots
1/2 Parsnip
1/4 Turnip
1 Yellow Onion
3 Garlic cloves
Olive Oil
Parsley
2 tsp Fresh Ginger
1 Lemon
2lbs Boneless and Skinless Chicken Thighs
Fresh Dill
Salt
Directions
Stock:
Skin carrots, parsnip, and 3/4 of a turnip. Roughly chop celery, carrots, parsnip, turnip, and onion. Chop garlic halfway through the bulb, horizontally. (Leave skins on garlic and onion on, we are straining later)
Over high heat in a large soup pot, brown the chicken wings, let them sit undisturbed until you can lift without any sticking. Throw in veggies, add thyme, parsley, and peppercorns. Add water until everything is covered.
Keep at bare simmer for minimum 6 hours, up to 12 hours. Remove brown scum if it forms at the top.
After the desired amount of time, strain. This broth is great by itself if you dont use all of it for the soup.
Soup:
Prep veggies by chopping celery, carrots, 1/4 turnip and parsnip. Turnip and parsnip should be chopped finely. Chop onion and garlic, set aside.
Heat olive oil in soup pot (preferably a dutch oven) and add onions and garlic. Sauté until tender. Add the rest of the veggies and warm through. Add chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Grate in 2 tsp ginger, bring to a boil. Add chicken thighs and let cook for 20 mins. Remove chicken thighs and shred. Add shredded chicken back to stock. Add salt liberally and taste- adjust to your wanted level of umami.
Add desired amount of pasta (I use fine egg noodles).
Just before serving, add juice of 1 lemon and fresh dill.
Enjoy!
Homemade Apple Cider
What you’ll need:
Lots of different varieties of apples- you’ll need about 10
1 Orange
3 Cinnamon Sticks
1 tsp Allspice
1 Whole Nutmeg
1 tsp Cloves
1/3 c. Brown Sugar
Directions:
Quarter apples and orange, put in large stock pot along with spices and sugar.. Cover with water and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover for 3 hours.
Remove oranges and mash apples with a wooden spoon, return to a simmer and cook uncovered 1 more hour.
Strain through a fine mesh strainer at least 2x, pressing on solids to get all of the juice out.
Serve warm.
I store my cider in mason jars and put in the fridge. Good for 2 weeks.
Enjoy the hygge you are about to experience!